In a significant operation conducted by security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker area, a total of 29 Naxalites have been eliminated, with their bodies recovered on Tuesday. The search operation is ongoing, raising the possibility of the casualty count increasing, as confirmed by Chhattisgarh Police. Three security personnel, including two Border Security Force (BSF) jawans and one member of the state police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG), sustained injuries during the operation.
Authorities highlight that if the Naxal casualties surpass 30, this operation would mark the largest in the last decade. Prior instances include the elimination of 30 Naxalites by Greyhound commandos in 2016 and the operation in 2021, where top Naxal leader Milind Teltumbde and 25 others were neutralized. Notably, this operation stands out as the first where a significant number of Naxalites were eliminated without any casualties among the security forces.
The operation unfolded on April 16, initiated by a joint team comprising Kanker DRG and BSF in the Chhottebetiya police station limit area of Kanker district. An exchange of fire occurred around 2 pm near the Binagunda-Koragutta jungles, leading to the elimination of the Naxals. Subsequently, a thorough search of the area uncovered the bodies of 29 Naxals along with a substantial cache of arms, including AK-47 rifles, INSAS rifles, SLR/Carbines, .303 rifles, and ammunition.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the security forces and tweeted, “Today, the security forces killed down a large Naxalites in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate all the security personnel who made this operation successful with their bravery and wish for the speedy recovery of the brave policemen who have been injured.” He added, “Naxalism is the biggest enemy of development, peace and bright future of youth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, we are determined to free the country from the menace of Naxalism. Due to the offensive policy of the government and the efforts of the security forces, Naxalism has been confined to a small area today. Soon Chhattisgarh and the entire country will be completely Naxal-free.”
आज छत्तीसगढ़ में सुरक्षा बलों के ऑपरेशन में बड़ी संख्या में नक्सली मारे गये हैं। इस ऑपरेशन को अपनी जाँबाज़ी से सफल बनाने वाले सभी सुरक्षाकर्मियों को बधाई देता हूँ और जो वीर पुलिसकर्मी घायल हुए हैं, उनके शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की कामना करता हूँ।
नक्सलवाद विकास, शांति और युवाओं के…
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) April 16, 2024
VIDEO | One BSF and one DRG jawan, injured during the ongoing encounter with Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, being taken to hospital in a helicopter.
STORY | 29 Naxals killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh; 3 jawans hurt
READ: https://t.co/SKNA65tmLB… pic.twitter.com/snAnDEJBEU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 16, 2024
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Vijay Sharma says, “This operation was done like a surgical strike and 29 Naxals were killed. Some of the Naxal must have been injured and by tomorrow the number can increase as well. Two jawan- DRGC & CRPF were injured and I had come to meet them.… https://t.co/ys6STdTMX2 pic.twitter.com/UDWchsmSMT
— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2024
Among the recovered weapons are 3 SLRs, 1 AK-47, 2 pistols, and 2 INSAS rifles. Officials revealed that five inputs were shared, two of which provided precise locations of the North Bastar DVC Maoists in the Binagunda area, indicating its status as a permanent Maoist camp since April 5. Chhattisgarh police suggest that top Naxal figures Shankar Rao and Lalita, both DVCMs of the North Bastar Division, are likely among the casualties. Bastar IG P. Sunddaraj underscores this as one of the most significant anti-Naxal operations in the region.
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